by Mark Silva
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, allowing that he once was "beaten badly'' at golf by a Special Olympian, suggests President Barack Obama's heart is in the right place when it comes to the global competition, even if his tongue was in the wrong place last week when joking about his own bowling skills.
'First of all, I know where his heart is at,'' Schwarzenegger said of Obama this morning on NBC News' Meet the Press.
"I think that he loves Special Olympics and he would do anything that he can to be helpful,'' the Republican governor said.
"This is one of those slips, you know, that you always regret afterwards,'' said a governor who campaigned for George W. Bush twice and lately has rallied to Obama's cause in the promotion of the federal government's economic stimulus. "I've had mine, believe me, plenty of them, where I've had to go back and apologize, and I'm sure everyone in public life has had those moments. But the important thing is where is his heart.''
Host David Gregory asked if not only the slip of the presidential tongue, but also the Tonight Show audience's laughter when Obama likened his improving but still-129 bowling game to that of a Special Olympian on Jay Leno's couch, suggests that some more public awareness of the games may be required.
"Yes, you're right, people laughed, and I think it needs more awareness in special Olympics,'' said Schwarzenegger, whose own mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver, launched the games in 1968. "The Special Olympics itself does a great job....
"The fact of the matter is, when you talk about bowling, I guarantee you, there is a Special Olympian out there who bowls 200,'' the silver screen's "Terminator" said. "Because I have witnessed it myself. I was in South Africa at a golf tournament, and I got beaten badly by a Special Olympian n playing golf.''
Comments
That was very gracious of Arnold to say. And I'm fairly sure that Obama does not wish to convey ill-will to the Special Olympics. But there have been a number of snide and belittling remarks that have come from Obama ("likeable enough" "sweetie" "bitter") that do call into question whether the President is really just a jerk with a nice smile.
Posted by: Bemused | March 22, 2009 2:25 PM
I agree with the governor. Everyone in public life has those moments when they say something off the cuff and have to go back and apologize. I think that it is time to put this slip behind us. It is pretty obvious that it was a slip and not an expression of the president's true feelings regarding the special olympics.
Posted by: Phil | March 22, 2009 2:44 PM
Maybe the man has a heart. Just a tragedy for us that he has no brains and is herding us to international ridicule and financial ruin while we all watch his stupid antics and tasteless humour.
Posted by: Rex | March 22, 2009 2:46 PM
Problem with "political correctness" in this country is that the US has become a nation of hypocrites who act all high and mighty when in the public view. Then everybody acts as if they've never made remarks that may be considered offensive by some people. Get over it, instead of judging what is being said, judge the person and the intention behind it. No one in their right mind would think it was purposedfully offensive or that his comment reflect a hidden disdain for disabled people. I'd rather have someone insult me to my face than someone shaking my hand while wanting to stab me with the other.
Posted by: Carlos | March 22, 2009 3:23 PM
It's amazing, coming off the administration we just had, that anyone can say--without a hint of irony--that Obama has no brains and that he is herding us to "international ridicule and financial ruin." I'd be curious to know who in the wider world you're talking to, because to my ears out here the level of international derision and ridicule has dropped dramatically since November.
Posted by: dennsity | March 22, 2009 3:24 PM
Gov. Schwarezenegger has it right...our President is a good man and wants the country to succeed. If he fails, we all fail.
Posted by: Leishtek | March 22, 2009 3:37 PM
I am not an obama fan but I think it was a harmless joke and the carrying on is typically absurd and overblown. We've gotten so oversensitive and PC that everyone is afraid to say anything. It's tiresome. If you fart, some fart advocacy group will be offended.
Posted by: Marci | March 22, 2009 4:00 PM
Rex-
What? Are you serious?
You must be deranged. The exact opposite of everything you describe is happening.
What you must be talking about is the last Pres (Bush).
I suggest you take your head out of the hole it is in and join us all back in reality.
Posted by: John Does | March 22, 2009 4:03 PM
Rex said, "he has no brains and is herding us to international ridicule and financial ruin." Didn't Bush already do that? Where have you been the last 8 years?
Posted by: Lisa | March 22, 2009 4:05 PM
This is from a book well known though out the world. President Barack Obama himself has "quoted" from this book to support his political agenda. The Bible, NIV, Ecclesiastes 10:2-3. "The heart of the wise inclines to the right,but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as he walks along the road ,the fool lacks sense, and shows everyone how stupid he is
Posted by: Steve Bert | March 22, 2009 4:21 PM
I fear that Arnold is wrong. It is the comments not carefully prepared, the remarks made when the "mike" is thought to be off, and the unscripted phrases that reveal the true attitude and character of the man. The Obama's seem by this measure anything but gracious, and rather small in the presence of the people.
Posted by: Ed Livingston | March 22, 2009 4:34 PM
Been-used, the next time you want to be-little someone by calling them a jerk, how about you first use some evidence. The words that you quoted don't even sound offensive out of context, let alone in context.
Yes, Arnold is one of the only pugs that is seeking the middle ground and jumping ship from the rat infested SS PUG which is the only ship in the world powered by hot air.
Posted by: Xcellentform | March 22, 2009 4:52 PM
Ah, Xform. "Been used?" Is that what you call me? Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? I didn't add the qualifer "smug" to "jerk" when desccribing your hero. Both apply. But if you must have a history lesson, purveyor of KoolAid: "You're likeable enough" was widely viewed (even by Obama media fans) as a churlish, immature, snide comment by Barack made against Hillary during a debate. "Sweetie" was the condescending name Barack called a professional female journalist - and she was certainly not amused by it. "Bitter" was the qualifer Barack used when he didn't know he was being recorded to refer to people who don't share his world view. The evidence is quite compelling that your savior, the smug thug, St. Obama, is indeed a jerk. I've noticed for quite some time that many of his supporters follow suit. Now, Xform, you may resume eating cheetos in your mom's basement.
Posted by: Bemused | March 22, 2009 6:48 PM
Been-used, thanks for the personal attack. I was missing that today. I stand by my original statement and you look like a wacko with your latest post. And someone that has been around here as long as you have been, should know my personal history by now, unless your memory is that flawed. If you post your personal information on here, I will be happy to call Dr. Phil for you.
Posted by: Xcellentform | March 22, 2009 10:40 PM
He's a democrat who believes in abortion, sodomy, woman's lib and multiculturalism. How can his heart be in the right place? He's a black. Most blacks hate whites. HE'S IN THE WRONG PLACE!
Posted by: Harold Reimann | March 23, 2009 12:19 PM